Total Credits Required for Certificate: ***46

*The option to receive a waiver for selected health care skills is available for Certified Nursing Assistants.

**BIOL 110 is a prerequisite forBIOL 220. The option to challenge or receive a waiver for BIOL 110 can be requested through the Biology Department. Students planning to enter the nursing program should address this alternative with an academic advisor, case manager or counselor.

Note: In order to progress through and graduate from the Practical Nursing program, students must successfully complete all science, PSYC 101 or SOCL 101, ENGL 101, and nursing courses with a grade of “C” or better.

*** A new college orientation requirement, completion of the one-credit ACDV 101 course, Transitioning to College, went into effect spring 2010. If you are a credit student who is new to college (meaning you have not successfully completed college coursework at another institution(s)), you are required to take ACDV 101 during your first semester at CCBC, thereby increasing the number of credits required for this certificate to 47 credits. Students are required to provide an official transcript(s) to document successful completion of college coursework at another institution(s) in order for this requirement to be waived.

Program Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this certificate, students will be able to:

demonstrate evidenced-based practice in the delivery of nursing care;

demonstrate culturally and spiritually competent care; and

collaborate with other members of the health care team to provide high quality patient-centered care.

Program Description:

The Practical Nursing program is a 12-month, 46-credit certificate program designed to provide theoretical and clinical laboratory study in nursing that will enable students to learn to assist other licensed health care professionals, such as registered nurses and physicians, and work as members of a health care team. Upon successful completion of the program, graduates are eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN). The program length is intended to take three semesters to complete (one year). The program is accredited by the Maryland Board of Nursing.

Upon successful completion of the Practical Nursing Program, the graduate applies to take the National Licensing Examination (NCLEX-PN). Permission to take the NCLEX-PN is established by law and may be granted only by the Maryland Board of Nursing. The Board may deny a graduate permission for a variety of reasons. These include:

8-6A-10 (a)4
Is convicted of or pleads guilty or nolo contendere to a felony or to a crime involving moral turpitude, whether or not any appeal or other proceeding is pending to have the conviction or plea set aside.

[Nurse Practice Act, Annotated Code of Maryland]

Admission to this program is a separate process from admission to the college. Admission to the School of Health Professions programs is competitive, selective, and is based on established criteria. Information about admissions processes for the programs in the School of Health Professions and the Selective Admissions Application form are available in the Office of Selective Admissions in Room J-101 on the Essex Campus or by calling 443-840-1112. This information is also available in the Admissions or Records and Registration office on each campus.

Students in the School of Health Professions are expected to conduct themselves according to an honor code, exhibit professional behavior, and communicate effectively in English, both written and oral. All students will be required to complete criminal background checks and may be required to submit to random drug testing.